Hyundai, KIA Launch Fuel Compensation Program

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have agreed to compensate owners of certain types of vehicles who were given false fuel efficiency/mileage numbers.

This follows findings by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that tested the fuel efficiencies of the automakers’ cars, after a number of complaints. On average, the mileage of a Hyundai was increased from 8.71 l/100 km to 9.05 l/100 km. But Hyundai Canada says the difference for the 2013 Hyundai models will be just 0.3 l/100 km.

Both automakers have decided not to contest the EPA findings.

And on November 2nd they announced their Fuel Compensation Plan. Many details of the Plan are yet to be publicized but the owners of the models under discussion will receive pre-paid cards for amounts based on their mileage and purchase year.

Owners will be eligible to continue to receive the compensation as long as they drive their cars. It is recommended that they get fresh credit cards every year or every 20,000 km.

All in all, more than a million cars will be subject to this compensation in North America.